ATLANTA -- What started as a pitchers' duel devolved into a back-and-forth battle of clutch hits on Tuesday afternoon at Truist Park.
The Braves ultimately got the last -- and biggest -- knock of the day to claim a 5-3 victory over the Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series.
Here are three quick takeaways in the immediate aftermath of Atlanta's thrilling Game 1 victory:
1. Riley comes through
It was a forgettable regular season for Austin Riley -- but he provided an unforgettable moment in Game 1.
With the Braves trailing by a run in the bottom of the eighth, Riley unloaded on a first-pitch four-seamer from Phillies closer Jhoan Duran for an improbable go-ahead three-run homer.
It was only the third home run allowed by Duran this year -- and it came from a hitter who slashed .219/.290/.364 during the regular season.
2. Phillies' bullpen plan falls apart
Perhaps even more surprising than Riley's home run was the Phillies' plan to close out the game.
When the bullpen door swung open in left field in the middle of the seventh inning, it was Duran who trotted to the mound.
It was the earliest Duran had entered a game since April 20 last season, when he was still a member of the Twins. Not only did he have just one multi-inning performance this season (Aug. 29 against the Angels), but the shutdown closer had never recorded more than six outs in a single outing.
The questions immediately began to swirl. Were the Phillies really about to ask him to lock down a three-inning save? Or did they just want him to face the top of the order over the next two innings before calling on someone else from their beleaguered bullpen to handle the ninth?
Thanks to Riley, that all remained a mystery -- for now. It's anyone's guess how the Phillies will approach those final innings in Game 2.
3. Braves steal all-important Game 1
Those two moments proved to be the difference for the Braves getting the pivotal victory to open the best-of-three series. In the history of the best-of-three Wild Card Series, teams that win the opener have gone on to win the set 21 of 24 times (88%).
Even more impactful: Home teams that win Game 1 have gone on to win the series all nine times.